Orchid Island (Lanyu)

Orchid Island

As the second largest island of Taiwan only next to Pescadores, Lanyu, along with Lyudao, is a remote island township of Taitung County. With an area of 45.74 square kilometers and a circumference of 38.45 kilometers, it lies in the southeast outer ocean of Taitung, 49 nautical miles apart from Taitung City, 40 nautical miles apart from Lyudao to the north, 41 nautical miles apart from Kenting's Erluanbi to the east, and 41 nautical miles apart from a depopulated island on the north of Batanes Island. Lanyu is mostly composed of mountains, only narrow alluvial plains spreading near the coast shore, with the highest peak Hongtoushan of 548 meters. Estimated 5 kilometers on the southeast of Lanyu, a small volcano islet－Siaolanyu(small orchid island)－is unmanned with 1.6 square kilometers.

For thousands of years, the Yami, the most primitive of Taiwan indigenous tribes, has been living in the volcanic island where wild orchids grow in the lush mountains. In the past, the houses were built underground with stone slab rooftop to avoid the gusty wind. Men wore G-strings. You may still be able to find some on the island. Also look for the beautifully-carved canoes by Yami fishermen.